The Miami "Heat" opened as 1.5 point favorites over Philadelphia in the series that begins Monday in Miami. But that was before the full severity of Joel Embiid's injury in game six in Toronto was known. Yesterday, Embiid was diagnosed with an orbital fracture and concussion, suffered when head coach Doc Rivers inexplicably kept Embiid--already injured with a torn ligament in his shooting hand--in the game with four minutes left and the "Sixers" up 27 points. The club announced that Embiid was out "indefinitely" and definitely for game one in Miami. And on that news the point spread has ballooned to 8.

There's a saying, and it's true, that there is nothing like NBA playoff basketball. The regular season doesn't compare. It is the showcase for the Association's incredible collection of athletes. Now, the second round of the playoffs, when things get real, will be missing the season's biggest star. It cheapens the series. If the "Heat" win it will come with an asterisk, "Yeah but Joel was hurt." If the "Sixers" win it will make a chimera of Miami's whole season.